OUR PRIORITIES FOR BLUNDELLSANDS WARD
There are over 11,000 residents in Blundellsands (Electorate just under 10,000) occupying 5,100 households. The residents pay over £7m each year in Council Tax to Sefton Council – more than any other ward in the borough.
In 2018/19 Blundellsands Ward Councillors had accumulated over £10,000 in their Ward Budget which has not been spent.
THE ENVIRONMENT
We would publish a programme showing when roads were to be swept and gullies cleaned to enable residents to move their cars in order to assist in keeping our roads clean and weed-free.We are aware of localised flooding and would work alongside United Utilities to repair and replace antiquated or broken sewers. Much of our street lighting is old and inefficient. We would devise a programme for its replacement with energy-efficient lighting to improve public safety.
THE COAST
Sefton has 22 miles of coastline but the section through Blundellsands is deteriorating. Sefton’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Strategy is out of date and, although external funding of £15m to 20m has been identified there are no plans showing when works to the sea defences are planned. We would engage with the community to safeguard and transform our coastline, introducing an information centre, catering facilities, toilets and more effective litter collection points
TOWN CENTRES
This Council has not bid for funding from the Liverpool City Region or from Central Government to revitalise Crosby Town Centre. Instead, the Council has ploughed funds into Bootle Town Centre and turned its back on Crosby. We would work with businesses and landlords in regenerating Crosby Village, creating a variety of uses including not only shopping but also housing, health and community facilities. We would work with Merseytravel to improve bus facilities and examine improved road layouts, especially for cyclists.
THE GREEN AGENDA
We would introduce electric vehicle charging points in our Council car parks and promote clear air zones outside our schools, enforcing “no-idling” legislation.We would insist that all new developments across Sefton were fitted with photovoltaic cells to support our commitment to energy efficiency. We would plan to replace old-fashioned street lights with more energy efficient LEDs.
URGENT ACTION
Subway – Blundellsands Road West and East
Despite some new lighting the Council’s subway under the Blundellsands railway line remains dark and damp. Urgent action is needed to replace the defective sewers to prevent flooding, and for the paving to be regularly swept clean of leaves.
Sand on the coastal path.
There is no point promoting a pedestrian and cycle route alongside the beach if the area is not being swept clean of blown sand. The pathway has become an obstacle for people in wheelchairs, parents with buggies and those wanting to enjoy a riverside walk. A regular maintenance regime is required to keep the area accessible.
Litter bins
Many of the litter bins along the coastal path are broken, rusted or have no lids. Litter is strewn around by scavenging birds or blown in the wind. New durable bins need to be installed, funded from the income gained through use of the car park.
Road name-signs
Many road signs across Blundellsands have broken or are missing, making way-finding difficult for visitors or delivery drivers. Not everyone has sat-nav. Missing road or damaged name-signs should be replaced using unspent ward funds.
THANK YOU FROM THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY
During the Covid pandemic our local schools and businesses have shown a remarkable commitment to serve the community and have faced challenging circumstances with fortitude, resilience and creativity. This is the spirit which we will rely upon, in which we know will be challenging months ahead
Martyn Barber, Conservative Candidate for Blundellsands Ward 2021 & Chairman of the Sefton Central Conservative Association
Email: [email protected]
